Chicago Is Bracing for Impact — and the clock is ticking.
With the Bulls sinking fast in the Eastern Conference and seven players barreling toward unrestricted free agency, the franchise is entering one of the most volatile offseasons in its modern era. What comes next could reshape the team for years — or blow it apart entirely.
The Chicago Bulls aren’t just losing games — they’re losing time. As the season spirals and Play-In hopes fade, the organization is confronting a reality no contender wants to face: seven core rotation players are set to hit the open market this summer. For a team that has spent the last three seasons treading water, the pressure to act — and act fast — has never been higher.
Despite the chaos on the court, the front office is staring at something rare: flexibility. Full control of future first-round picks and tens of millions in projected cap space give Chicago a chance to reboot the entire roster. But flexibility means nothing without decisions, and every one of these expiring contracts comes with a cost, a risk, and a potential turning point.
Let’s break down the seven cases that will define Chicago’s next chapter.
Nikola Vucevic – $21.48M
The veteran big man should be the Bulls’ biggest trade chip — but his recent slump has wrecked the timing. After opening the season on fire, Vucevic has fallen off a cliff: lower scoring, lower efficiency, fewer minutes. His value on the market has taken a hit, and his contract is tough to absorb midseason.
Teams may prefer to wait for free agency and snag him at a discount.
Chicago wants to move him — but desire doesn’t equal demand.
Zach Collins – $18.08M
Collins is the organization’s favorite “if-only-he’s-healthy” project. When he plays, he’s versatile, physical, and fits beautifully next to young pieces like Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey. But durability remains the elephant in the room.
Chicago seems willing to ride the season out and reassess in July — a long evaluation that could either justify a team-friendly deal or send him packing.
Kevin Huerter – $17.99M
Huerter might be the Bulls’ sneaky deadline asset. Even without elite shooting numbers this year, he’s shown improved cutting, finishing, rebounding, and even rim protection.
If he returns healthy, a playoff team desperate for wing depth could jump early and trade for him before summer bidding begins. He’s one to watch.
Coby White – $12.88M
Here’s the bombshell: Coby White may be the biggest decision the Bulls face.
He’s young, productive, beloved — and about to get very expensive. With Giddey already on a $100M deal, re-signing White could push the backcourt’s combined salary above $50M per season.
Is this duo good enough to build around? Or does the losing streak force Chicago to sell high while they still can?
The next month will decide everything.
Ayo Dosunmu – $7.51M
Dosunmu is in the same boat as White, but at a more manageable salary tier. The Bulls can’t offer him the big-money deal he’ll want until free agency, and teams will absolutely ask about him at the deadline.
Electric in transition, reliable on defense, Ayo is the kind of rotation guard playoff teams covet. Chicago must pick a lane:
Keep him and trade White? Or flip Ayo while his value peaks?
Jevon Carter – $6.80M
This one is simple: Carter never carved out a real role, and his time in Chicago is effectively over. The respect is there — the fit isn’t. Expect a clean break.
Dalen Terry – $5.39M
A former first-round pick who still hasn’t found his NBA identity, Terry is the biggest mystery on the list. He’s 23, energetic, defensively long — but unproven.
The Bulls will likely extend a qualifying offer and keep him cheap, but his final months of play will determine whether he’s part of the future or forgotten in it.
A Franchise at a Crossroads
Seven contracts. One spiraling season. Countless unknowns.
For the Bulls, this isn’t just a roster audit — it’s a reckoning.
Every decision made between now and July will signal whether Chicago is rebooting, retooling, or tearing everything down.
And if the losing continues…
don’t be surprised if the front office starts swinging early — and swinging hard.
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